—Jody Norwood/Tribune-Courier
Above, currently vacant lots adjacent to the Marshall County Co-op in Benton could be the future home of a CVS Pharmacy. The Benton Planning and Zoning Board last week approved changes that would allow the retailer to construct on the site.

BENTON – A change to the city’s zoning on Benton’s north side means a new chain retailer may be coming to the area. Developers representing CVS Pharmacy were at the city’s planning and zoning meeting last week, requesting the city rezone a parcel of land from light industrial to commercial.

The board unanimously approved the request, which was made by Bob and Mary Cunningham.

The new site would be located along the east side of U.S. Hwy. 641 at the corner of Main and Fourth streets. The store would be located on property currently held by two local real estate companies.

“Notices were sent to all of the adjacent property owners,” said planning and zoning administrator Lois Cunningham. “We received all of them back except Bellsouth. Signs were put on the property to let the public know as they drove by. I think [the property] was originally miszoned when it was originally done and it’s never been used or noticed until this time.”

A final presentation will be made to the zoning board in April. Developers said they would need until then to finalize their plan. The Benton City Council will also have to approve the zoning change.

The project is being developed by Gene Warren Jr. Co., an Evansville, Ind., based development company founded by Gene and Charlotte Warren. The Warren company has opened similar CVS stores throughout Kentucky and Indiana.